The new HBO series It: Welcome to Derry is digging deeper into the terrifying mythology of Pennywise, and the premiere episode has already given fans a major clue about how the evil clown might be defeated. The key does not come from a weapon, but from a cosmic, universe-creating turtle named Maturin.
In the opening episode of the horror prequel, a series of turtle-related symbols appear, all pointing to the influence of this ancient being. For fans of Stephen King’s original novel, these are not just random easter eggs; they are signs of a powerful, benevolent force that exists to counter Pennywise’s chaos. The survival of one character directly links to these turtle clues, suggesting that Maturin’s guidance will be the secret weapon against the rising evil in Derry.
Who is Maturin the Turtle?
In Stephen King’s universe, Maturin is not just a simple animal. He is a cosmic guardian and one of the oldest beings in existence. He is far older and more powerful than Pennywise, and his role in the balance of the macroverse is crucial.
This giant, wise sea turtle is said to have created the universe by vomiting it into existence. He represents creation and calm, standing in complete opposition to the consuming hunger and destruction of It. In the 1986 novel, the turtle acts as a guide for the Losers Club, offering cosmic wisdom that helps them in their battle against the clown.
In Stephen King’s terrifying universe, evil rarely exists without an opposing force. In It, that balance is embodied by Maturin the Turtle.
While Maturin was left out of the previous movie adaptations, his spiritual presence is finally being felt in Welcome to Derry.
The Turtle Clues in Episode 1
The premiere episode of Welcome to Derry is filled with hints about Maturin’s importance. These are not just background details; they are actively influencing the events on screen.
The first major clue appears in a school. A signboard features Bert the Turtle from the 1950s civil defense film, which famously advises children to “Duck and Cover” in an emergency. This is more than a period-accurate prop. Later, a student is even seen dressed in a full turtle costume, a visual nod to the creature’s significance.
The most important turtle symbol, however, is a small trinket. A character named Lily trades a lucky turtle charm with another character, Matty, in a flashback. This seemingly minor detail becomes a matter of life and death.
How a Turtle Trinket Saved a Life
The turtle’s power moves from being a simple symbol to a direct cause for survival during a terrifying attack in a movie theater. When a monstrous, two-headed baby creature attacks the children, the scene shows a clear divide between those who survive and those who do not.
The characters Phil and Teddy panic and try to run away from the monster, and they are killed. Lily, however, remembers the advice linked to Bert the Turtle. She ducks and covers beneath the theater seats, hiding from the creature. Importantly, she is also holding her lucky turtle trinket.
Only Lily survived the mutant baby’s bloodbath in the movie theatre… her turtle trinket literally being her guardian angel.
Lily is the only one who lives through the encounter. This directly ties her survival to the two turtle motifs: following the “Duck and Cover” advice and possessing the turtle charm. This survival is the show’s strongest hint yet that aligning with Maturin’s energy is the only way to overcome Pennywise’s evil.
The Deeper Battle: Turtle vs. Clown
The conflict between Maturin and Pennywise is a core part of Stephen King’s novel. The two beings are ancient opposites. Pennywise is an ancient, trans-dimensional entity who feeds on fear, especially the fears of children. He landed on Earth in an asteroid millions of years ago and settled deep beneath what would become Derry, Maine, waking every 27 years to feed.
Maturin is his eternal counterpoint. He does not typically fight Pennywise with physical force, but provides spiritual and cosmic support. In the book, when the leader of the Losers Club, Bill Denbrough, is sent into the Macroverse during the Ritual of Chüd, he meets the giant turtle. Maturin helps him by sharing wisdom that is crucial for the Losers to win their fight.
By introducing these turtle themes so early, It: Welcome to Derry is setting the stage for a much larger mythological battle. The show appears to be preparing to explore how the human characters can connect with this cosmic good to defeat a primordial evil.
What This Means for the Rest of the Series
The clues in the first episode suggest that Maturin’s role will only grow as the series continues. Lily and the other main characters will likely need to seek out a deeper understanding of this cosmic force if they hope to have any chance against Pennywise.
The series can explore how the turtle’s influence manifests in Derry and how ordinary people can tap into it. The show has set up a clear pattern: those who ignore the signs of this higher power are lost, while those who, even unknowingly, follow its path, find a way to survive.
With Pennywise now awake and hunting in 1962, the children of Derry will need all the help they can get. The series is building toward a conflict where faith and cosmic guidance may be just as important as courage.
It: Welcome to Derry releases new episodes every Sunday on HBO.
Also Read: IT: Welcome to Derry: How a Haunted Lamp Draws From Real History
